Probe assembly to reposition a catheter

ABSTRACT

A probe can be configured with a shaped portion that can lift, advance, retract, or swivel a distal end of a catheter to thereby reposition the catheter within a patient&#39;s vasculature. This repositioning can move the catheter relative to the wall or other anatomy of the vasculature and relative to any obstructions such as a thrombus that may have formed. By repositioning the catheter, the probe prolongs the patency of the catheter including facilitating the collection of a blood sample through a long-dwelling catheter.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/041,548, filed on Jun. 19, 2020, entitled INTRAVENOUS CATHETERDEVICE WITH PROBE FOR REPOSITIONING THE CATHETER, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) catheter devices are commonly used for a variety ofinfusion therapies. For example, an IV catheter device may be used forinfusing fluids, such as normal saline solution, various medicaments,and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient. IV catheter devices mayalso be used for withdrawing blood from the patient.

A common type of IV catheter device includes a catheter that is“over-the-needle.” As its name implies, the catheter that isover-the-needle may be mounted over a needle having a sharp distal tip.The catheter and the needle may be assembled so that the distal tip ofthe needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter with the bevelof the needle facing up away from skin of the patient. The catheter andneedle are generally inserted at a shallow angle through the skin intothe vasculature of the patient.

When IV catheter devices are maintained within the patient'svasculature, they are likely to become occluded. Once an IV catheterdevice is occluded, it may no longer be possible to use the IV catheterdevice to infuse fluids or withdraw blood. In such cases, the IVcatheter device may be replaced. Yet, replacing an IV catheter device isburdensome for the patient and increases costs. To address such issues,some devices have been developed that can be inserted through theindwelling catheter of the IV catheter device to remove the occlusion.For example, some devices employ rigid tubing that can be insertedthrough the catheter and distally beyond the catheter's distal opening.With the rigid tubing inserted in this manner, such devices can obtain ablood sample through the rigid tubing even if the catheter had becomeoccluded. In other words, the rigid tubing is employed to physicallypass through any occlusion that may have formed in or around thecatheter's distal opening and forms a separate fluid pathway from thecatheter for collecting the blood sample.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one example technology area where some implementationsdescribed herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to probe assemblies configuredto reposition a distal end of a catheter while the catheter remainsinserted in a patient's vasculature, as well as related methods and IVcatheter devices. In some embodiments, an IV catheter device may includea catheter adapter, a catheter that extends distally from the catheteradapter and a probe assembly that couples to the catheter adapter. Theprobe assembly may include a probe that selectively extends into thecatheter. The probe may have a shaped portion for causing a distal endof the catheter to be repositioned as the probe is selectively extendedinto the catheter. The probe assembly may be integrated into orselectively coupled to the catheter adapter. The probe may be a wire ora tube in some embodiments.

The probe can be configured with a shaped portion that can lift,advance, retract, or swivel the distal end of the catheter to therebyreposition the catheter within the patient's vasculature. Thisrepositioning can move the catheter relative to the wall or otheranatomy of the vasculature and relative to any obstructions such as athrombus that may have formed. By repositioning the catheter, the probeprolongs the patency of the catheter including facilitating thecollection of a blood sample through a long-dwelling catheter.

In some embodiments, the probe assembly may include a probe actuator bywhich the probe is selectively extended into the catheter. In someembodiments, the probe actuator may be configured to advance axiallyand/or to rotate to thereby cause the probe to advance axially and/orrotate within the catheter respectively.

In some embodiments, the probe assembly may include a probe housingwithin which the probe is housed, and a probe actuator positioned atleast partially outside of the probe housing. The probe actuator mayinterface with the probe to cause the probe to be selectively advancedout from the probe housing and into the catheter. The probe actuator mayalso interface with the probe to cause the probe to rotate within thecatheter.

In some embodiments, the probe may have a proximal portion and a distalportion, and the shaped portion may be positioned between the proximalportion and the distal portion. In some embodiments, the shaped portionmay encompass the distal portion. In some embodiments, the distalportion may form a coil. In some embodiments, the shaped portion mayhave a v shape or a w shape or may form a spiral or other shape.

In some embodiments, the probe may include a proximal portion and theshaped portion may be distal to the proximal portion. The shaped portionmay include a first length that deviates from a longitudinal axis of theproximal portion by a first angle and a second length that deviates fromthe longitudinal axis of the proximal portion by a second angledifferent from the first angle.

In some embodiments, a probe assembly for use with a catheter of anintravenous catheter device may include a probe housing, a probeactuator coupled to the probe housing and a probe that is housed withinthe probe housing. The probe actuator may be configured to selectivelyadvance the probe from the probe housing and into the catheter of theintravenous catheter device. The probe may include a proximal portion, adistal end and a shaped portion positioned between the proximal portionand the distal end. The shaped portion may be configured to reposition adistal end of the catheter as the probe is selectively advanced withinthe catheter.

In some embodiments, the shaped portion may include a first length thatdeviates from a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion by a firstangle and a second length that deviates from the longitudinal axis ofthe proximal portion by a second angle different from the first angle.In some embodiments, the probe actuator may be configured to selectivelyrotate the probe within the catheter. In some embodiments, the shapedportion of the probe may encompass the distal end of the obturator.

In some embodiments, an intravenous catheter device may include acatheter adapter, a catheter that extends distally from the catheteradapter and a probe assembly that couples to the catheter adapter. Theprobe assembly may include a probe actuator and a probe having aproximal end coupled to the probe actuator and a distal end. The probemay have a shaped portion positioned towards the distal end. The shapedportion may be configured to cause a distal end of the catheter to berepositioned while the probe is extended into the distal end of thecatheter. In some embodiments, the probe actuator may be configured toslide and rotate the shaped portion within the catheter.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are examples and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It is to be understoodthat the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentality shown in the drawings. It should also be understood thatthe embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural changes, unless so claimed, may be madewithout departing from the scope of the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore,not to be taken in a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an IV catheter device that includes aprobe for repositioning the catheter in accordance with someembodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example of a probe assembly that may beused with an IV catheter device in some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3I illustrate a number of examples of a probe that isconfigured to reposition the distal end of a catheter while the catheterremains in a patient's vasculature in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an example of how the distal end of a cathetercan be repositioned while the catheter remains in a patient'svasculature using a probe that is configured in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a probe that is configured to rotate tocause a catheter to be repositioned within a patient's vasculature inaccordance with some embodiments; and

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate another example of how the distal end of acatheter can be repositioned while the catheter remains in a patient'svasculature using a probe that is configured in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An IV catheter device that may be employed in some embodiments mayinclude a catheter adapter from which a catheter distally extends andone or more ports or connectors for attaching other devices to thecatheter adapter. Such devices may be attached to the catheter adapterbefore, during or after insertion of the catheter into a patient'svasculature and can include a needle assembly, a blood collection set,an infusion assembly, any embodiment of a probe assembly describedherein, etc. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited to any particular configuration of an IV catheter deviceor to the specific examples of IV catheter devices used herein.

FIG. 1 provides an example of an IV catheter device 100 that isconfigured in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. IV catheter device 100 includes a catheter adapter 110 fromwhich a catheter 111 extends distally. Although not shown, a needleassembly may oftentimes be secured to catheter adapter 110 and may beemployed to insert catheter 111 into a patient's vasculature andsubsequently detached from catheter adapter 110. IV catheter device 110also includes an adapter 114 that is connected to a side port 112 ofcatheter adapter 110 via extension tubing 113. Adapter 114 can provide aconnector 116 (whether integrated or separate) by which a probe assembly130 (or any other probe assembly encompassed herein) can be coupled toIV catheter device 100 and through which a probe 140 (see FIGS. 2A and2B) of probe assembly 130 gains access to catheter 111. In someembodiments, probe assembly 130 could be integrated into adapter 114 asopposed to being selectively coupled to adapter 114.

A connector 115 may also be connected to adapter 114 via extensiontubing 113. A pinch clamp 117 may be provided on extension tubing 113. Ablood collection set 120 is shown as being coupled to connector 115 butis only one example of a device that may be connected to IV catheterdevice 100. In other examples, probe assembly 130 or another probeassembly could be coupled to or integrated into connector 115 as opposedto connector 116. It is reiterated, however, that IV catheter device 100is merely an example of an IV catheter device with which a probeconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure maybe used.

Probe assembly 130 is shown as including a probe housing 131, which canhouse probe 140 at least when probe 140 is not extended through catheter111, a connector 132 by which probe assembly 130 can be connected to IVcatheter device 100 (or another IV catheter device) and a probe actuator133 by which a clinician can move probe 140 relative to catheter 111 bysliding probe actuator 133 along the length of probe housing 131.Although not visible in FIG. 1, with probe actuator 133 in the depictedposition, the distal end of probe 140 may be advanced to the distal endof catheter 111. As described in greater detail below, in someembodiments, a probe assembly may be configured to allow a probe to beadvanced and withdrawn within catheter 111 and also rotated. Forexample, after the distal end of probe 140 has been advanced near, to orbeyond the distal end of catheter 111, probe actuator 133 may beconfigured to rotate clockwise and/or counter clockwise relative to theprobe housing 131 to thereby cause the distal end of probe 140 torotate.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate probe assembly 130 in isolation. In FIG. 2A,probe actuator 133 is at a proximal-most position which has caused thedistal end of probe 140 to be positioned at connector 132. In someembodiments, FIG. 2A may represent the configuration of probe assembly130 prior to being connected to an IV catheter device such as IVcatheter device 100. In contrast, in FIG. 2B, probe actuator 133 is at adistal-most position which has caused probe 140 to be advanced distallyout from connector 132. A length of probe 140 and/or the configurationof probe actuator 133 can cause the distal end of probe 140 to bepositioned proximate to (e.g., proximal to, at or distal to) the distalopening of catheter 111 (or the distal opening of the catheter of anyother IV catheter device with which probe assembly 130 is compatible).The depicted configuration of probe assembly 130 is intended to be anexample only. A probe assembly in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure could have any suitable connector, any suitable probehousing and any suitable probe actuator.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, probe 140 canbe configured to reposition the distal end of catheter 111 when probe140 is advanced into and/or rotated within catheter 111. FIGS. 3A-3Iprovide various examples of how probe 140 may be configured to causethis repositioning. FIG. 3A depicts a portion of probe 140 extendingfrom a portion of probe housing 131 which employs a differentlyconfigured connector 132. FIG. 3A can therefore represent that probe 140may be employed with many different variations of probe assembly 130.FIGS. 3B-3H each depict only a distal length of probe 140.

In each of FIGS. 3A-3I, probe 140 is shown as having a distal end 140 a,a distal portion 141, a shaped portion 142 and a proximal portion 143.Shaped portion 142 should be construed as a length of probe 140positioned at or towards distal end 140 a that has a shape that deviatesfrom a longitudinal axis of proximal portion 143 and that generallyretains this shape when distal end 140 a is positioned proximate to, ator extends distally out from a distal opening of catheter 111. It isnoted that shaped portion 142 may flex, flatten or otherwise adapt itsshape as it is advanced through catheter 111 due to the proximal lengthsof catheter 111 being confined within the skin. However, when positionedat or near the distal end of catheter 111, shaped portion 142 maygenerally retain its shape to thereby act on the distal end of catheter111 causing it to be repositioned. In some embodiments, shaped portion142 may be separate from distal portion 141, while in other embodiments,shaped portion 142 may encompass distal portion 141 and possibly distalend 140 a. As stated above, the shape of probe 140 would necessarilyneed to adapt to the confines of catheter 111 as probe 140 is advanced(e.g., the s-shape of catheter 111 as it transitions through thepatient's skin and into the vasculature). Yet, even with suchadaptations, shaped portion 142 is configured to substantially retainits shape relative to distal portion 141 and proximal portion 143 aswill become apparent below.

FIGS. 3A-3I provide various examples of how shaped portion 142 may beconfigured. Embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limitedto these examples. In particular, shaped portion 142 could be configuredin many different ways which cause it to deviate from the longitudinalaxis of proximal portion 143. For example, shaped portion 142 maycomprise one or more lengths of probe 140 that deviate from thelongitudinal axis including multiple lengths that are each at adifferent angle from one another and/or that lie in different planes.Similarly, shaped portion 142 may comprise one or more lengths of probe140 that are curved relative to the longitudinal axis.

In FIG. 3A, shaped portion 142 is in the form of a v-shaped length ofprobe 140 that extends between proximal portion 143 and distal portion141. In this example, distal portion 141 may extend along the samelongitudinal axis as proximal portion 143 such that only shaped portion142 deviates from the longitudinal axis. However, in some embodiments,distal portion 141 could extend along a different and non-parallel axis(e.g., by being upwardly oriented or downwardly oriented relative toproximal portion 143) and/or could extend along a different but parallelaxis as the longitudinal axis (e.g., upwardly or downwardly offsetrelative to proximal portion 143). The configuration of probe 140depicted in FIG. 3A is intended to apply a lifting force to the distalend of catheter 111 when distal portion 141 is at or beyond the distalopening of catheter 111 while shaped portion 142 remains at leastpartially within catheter 111. In some embodiments, the direction ofthis lifting force could be altered by rotating probe 140 relative tothe position shown in FIG. 3A (e.g., to move the distal end of catheter111 downward or side-to-side).

FIG. 3B provides an example similar to FIG. 3A except that distalportion 141 and distal end 140 a are in the form of a coil. This coilmay enhance probe 140's ability to remove an occlusion or an obstructionaway from the distal opening of catheter 111 while facilitating fluidflow into or out from catheter 111 while probe 140 is positioned thereinthereby increasing the patency of catheter 111.

FIG. 3C provides an example similar to FIG. 3B except that distalportion 141 and distal end 140 a have an expanded and solidcross-sectional area. As with the coil, this solid, expanded area mayenhance probe 140's ability to remove an occlusion or obstruction.Similar to what is shown in FIG. 3C, distal end 140 a could beconfigured as a dome that is formed from or in some manner attached todistal portion 141 (e.g., via welding or an adhesive). In embodimentswhere distal portion 141 forms an expanded cross-sectional area (orlarger outside diameter), this area may be tapered proximally tofacilitate withdrawing distal portion 141 back into catheter 111 withoutdamaging the distal opening or tip of catheter 111. Similarly, distalend 140 a may be tapered distally to minimize damage to the vasculatureas distal end 140 a is advanced out of catheter 111.

FIG. 3D provides an example where shaped portion 142 has a shape thatgenerally resembles a curved w and distal portion 141 and distal end 140a are in the form of a coil.

FIG. 3E provides an example where shaped portion 142 has an inverted vshape that encompasses distal portion 141. Also, distal portion 141forms a coil.

FIG. 3F provides another example where shaped portion 142 has aninverted v shape that encompasses distal portion 141. However, theproximal length of shaped portion 142 deviates for the longitudinal axisof proximal portion 143 to a lesser extent than the distal length ofshaped portion 142. Also, distal end 140 a is positioned below thelongitudinal axis of proximal portion 143.

FIG. 3G provides another example where shaped portion 142 has aninverted v shape that encompasses distal portion 141. However, thedistal length of shaped portion 142 deviates for the longitudinal axisof proximal portion 143 to a lesser extent than the proximal length ofshaped portion 142.

FIG. 3H provides an example where shaped portion 142 encompasses distalportion 141 and is in the form of a bend relative to proximal portion143. Also, FIG. 3H represents that, in some embodiments, probe 140 couldbe in the form of a tube as opposed to a wire.

FIG. 3I provides an example where shaped portion 142 is in the form of aspiral 142 and distal portion 141 is curved relative to proximal portion143.

The variations shown in FIGS. 3A-3I are not mutually exclusive and manysuch variations could be employed together. For example, distal portion141 could form a coil in any of the described embodiments. Likewise,probe 140 could be formed of tubing in any of the described embodiments.Additionally, the orientation and lengths of the different parts ofshaped portion 142 could be altered while the orientation of shapedportion 142 relative to distal portion 141 and/or proximal portion 143could also be altered. In short, embodiments of the present disclosureshould not be limited to the specific examples shown in the figures.

FIGS. 4A-4C provide an example of how probe 140 can cause the distal endof catheter 111 to be repositioned. FIG. 4A shows that catheter adapter110 is resting on a patient's skin 400 while catheter 111 is insertedinto the patient's vasculature 401. FIG. 4A also shows that probeassembly 130 has been connected to catheter adapter 110 and probe 140has been partially advanced into catheter 111. In FIGS. 4A-4C, probe 140resembles the example shown in FIG. 3G. Proximal portion 143 is shown asadapting to the s-shape of catheter 111 while shaped portion 142 anddistal portion 141 substantially maintain their shape within catheter111. In FIG. 4A, because shaped portion 142 is spaced substantially awayfrom distal end 111 a of catheter 111, distal end 111 a remains in itsnatural position against the wall of vasculature 401. In someembodiments, however, shaped portion 142 may be configured to apply alifting force on distal end 111 a before distal portion 141 reaches orextends distally beyond distal end 111 a.

Turning to FIG. 4B, it is now assumed that a clinician has employedprobe actuator 133 to further slide probe 140 into catheter 111. Forexample, probe actuator 133 could interface with a proximal end 140 b ofprobe 140 so that probe 140 slides and/or rotates as probe actuator 133is slid or rotated. In the depicted example, proximal end 140 b is inthe form of a wedge on which probe actuator 133 acts through thesidewall of probe housing 131. In such embodiments, probe housing 131may be in the form of extension tubing.

Due to distal movement of probe actuator 133, distal end 140 a of probe140 now extends out from distal end 111 a of catheter 111. Due to shapedportion 142 being positioned at distal end 111 a, shaped portion 142will apply a lifting force against distal end 111 a thereby causingdistal end 111 a to be lifted away from the wall of vasculature 401.More particularly, because shaped portion 142 substantially retains itsshape within catheter 111, the inverted v shape of shaped portion 142relative to proximal portion 143 causes distal end 111 a to be upwardlyoriented relative to proximal portions of catheter 111. This lifting notonly moves distal end 111 a away from the wall of vasculature 401 butalso pivots distal end 111 a. In this way, if distal end 111 a hadbecome positioned against the wall of the vasculature or other structureor had become otherwise occluded, the repositioning of catheter 111 mayregain the ability to collect a blood sample or inject a fluid throughcatheter 111. In this context, lifting is used relatively and couldencompass downward or sideward movement of distal end 111 a depending onthe rotational orientation of probe 140. FIG. 4C represents that shapedportion 142 may cause lifting force to be applied against distal end 111a of catheter 111 in a similar manner even when distal end 140 a ofprobe 140 is at or near distal end 111 a but does not extend distallyout from distal end 111 a.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example where probe 140 is configured to rotaterelative to catheter 111. In this example, probe assembly 130 isconfigured to enable a clinician to rotate probe 140 by rotating probeactuator 133. For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, proximalend 140 b of probe 140 could be coupled, whether directly or indirectly,to probe actuator 133 so that the entirety of probe 140 is rotated whenthe clinician rotates probe actuator 133. By rotating probe 140, theclinician can adjust the orientation of shaped portion 142 to alter inwhich direction distal end 111 a of catheter 111 is repositioned. Forexample, the clinician could rotate probe 140 to cause distal end 111 ato travel along a circular path, pivot back and forth, or otherwise moveuntil finding a position in which blood flow is unimpeded.

FIGS. 6A through 6D provide another example of how catheter 111 can berepositioned using probe 140. In these figures, catheter 111 is depictedrelative to a surface 600 which could represent the vein wall in someembodiments. In FIG. 6A, probe 140 has not yet been advanced intocatheter 111. Accordingly, catheter 111 is resting on the surface. InFIG. 6B, probe actuator 133 has been advanced toward adapter 114 butprobe 140 has not yet reached distal end 111 a of catheter 111.Accordingly, catheter 111 remains resting on the surface.

Turning to FIG. 6C, probe actuator 133 has been further advanced therebycausing distal end 140 a of probe 140 to extend beyond distal end 111 aof catheter 111. In this example, shaped portion 142 resembles theexample of FIG. 3F. Accordingly, as distal portion 141 extends out fromdistal end 111 a, distal end 140 a may contact the surface (which couldrepresent a patient's vasculature). Due to shaped portion 142, distalend 111 a will be lifted upwardly away from the surface. Moreparticularly, because shaped portion 142 retains its shape, catheter 111will conform to the shape of shaped portion 142.

Turning to FIG. 6D, probe actuator 133 has been advanced to itsdistal-most position which in turn has caused shaped portion 142 to beextended fully out from distal end 111 a. As a result, distal end 111 ais no longer being lifted by shaped portion 142 and has thereforereturned to rest on the surface. It is noted that, in some embodiments,probe 140 may not be configured to allow shaped portion 142 to extendcompletely out from distal end 111 a. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent disclosure should encompass cases where probe assembly 130 isdesigned to prevent shaped portion 142 from extending out from distalend 111 a and cases where probe assembly 130 is designed to allow shapedportion 142 to extend partially or completely out from distal end 111 a.

With reference to FIG. 6C, if probe 140 were rotated, distal end 111 aof catheter 111 could be caused to travel along a circular path. Also,if probe 140 included a coil or other enlarged structure at distal end140 a, trauma to a patient's vasculature could be minimized while alsopotentially enhancing the removal of any occlusion.

In any case, by employing probe 140 with shaped portion 142, catheter111 can be repositioned to enable blood collection or fluid injectionthrough catheter 111 even when catheter 111 has become occluded. Assuch, probe 140 may prolong the patency of a catheter without requiringthe use of a device that provides a separate fluid pathway from thecatheter. Because probe 140 enables catheter 111 to be used to collect ablood sample, an improved flow rate may exist during the collection ofthe blood sample relative to the flow rate that would exist whenemploying a separate, smaller tube inserted through catheter 111.However, as is represented by FIG. 3H, a probe that provides a shapedportion 142 could be in the form of a tube that provides a separatefluid pathway.

Probe 140 may be formed of any suitable material including, for example,metals such as nitinol or stainless steel, polymers such as nylon,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyetherimide or combinations of suchmaterials. In some embodiments, probe 140 may be formed of a firstmaterial with a coating of a second material such as, for example, astainless steel or nitinol core with a nickel coating or a metal corewith a polymer coating.

In some embodiments, distal end 140 a of probe 140 may be rounded and/ortapered to cause probe 140 to be more atraumatic when it is advanceddistally beyond catheter 111. Also, a tapered distal end 140 a mayfacilitate withdrawing probe 140 back into catheter 111 while minimizingdamage to distal end 111 a of catheter 111.

In some embodiments, in addition to providing the ability to repositionthe distal end 111 a of catheter 111, probe 140 can also reinforceproximal portions of catheter 111. For example, probe 140 may be formedof a material that is more rigid or resilient than the material fromwhich catheter 111 is formed. Therefore, with probe positioned insidecatheter 111, proximal portion 143 of probe 140 can prevent kinking incatheter 111 (e.g., in the s-shaped portion of catheter 111).

In some embodiments, probe 140 may also function to reposition distalend 111 a of catheter 111 by altering the s-shape of catheter 111. Forexample, due to the more rigid material from which probe 140 may beformed, proximal portion 143 may straighten the s-shaped region ofcatheter 111 which may cause distal end 111 a of catheter 111 to beadvanced within the vasculature. On the other hand, shaped portion 142could be positioned within the s-shaped portion of catheter 111 and maycause it to curve more (i.e., to form a tighter s shape) which may causedistal end 111 a of catheter 111 to retract within the vasculature.

In summary, a probe can be configured with a shaped portion that canlift, advance, retract, and/or swivel a distal end of a catheter tothereby reposition the catheter within a patient's vasculature. Thisrepositioning can move the catheter relative to the wall or otheranatomy of the vasculature and relative to any obstructions such as athrombus that may have formed. By repositioning the catheter, the probeprolongs the patency of the catheter including facilitating thecollection of a blood sample through a long-dwelling catheter.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the presentdisclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furtheringthe art and are to be construed as being without limitation to suchspecifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, it should beunderstood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterationscould be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed:
 1. An intravenous catheter device comprising: acatheter adapter; a catheter that extends distally from the catheteradapter; and a probe assembly that couples to the catheter adapter, theprobe assembly including a probe that selectively extends into thecatheter, the probe having a shaped portion for causing a distal end ofthe catheter to be repositioned as the probe is selectively extendedinto the catheter.
 2. The intravenous catheter device of claim 1,wherein the probe assembly includes a probe actuator by which the probeis selectively extended into the catheter.
 3. The intravenous catheterdevice of claim 2, wherein the probe actuator is configured to advanceaxially, rotate or both advance axially and rotate to thereby cause theprobe to advance axially, rotate or both advance axially and rotatewithin the catheter.
 4. The intravenous catheter device of claim 1,wherein the probe assembly is one of integrated into or selectivelycoupled to the catheter adapter.
 5. The intravenous catheter device ofclaim 1, wherein the probe has a proximal portion and a distal portion,and wherein the shaped portion is positioned between the proximalportion and the distal portion.
 6. The intravenous catheter device ofclaim 5, wherein the shaped portion encompasses the distal portion ofthe probe.
 7. The intravenous catheter device of claim 5, wherein thedistal portion forms a coil or an expanded cross-sectional area.
 8. Theintravenous catheter device of claim 1, wherein the shaped portion has av shape or a w shape.
 9. The intravenous catheter device of claim 1,wherein the shaped portion is configured to cause the distal end of thecatheter to be repositioned when a distal end of the probe is positionedproximal to, at or distal to the distal end of the catheter.
 10. Theintravenous catheter device of claim 1, wherein the shaped portioncomprises a spiral.
 11. The intravenous catheter device of claim 1,wherein the probe includes a proximal portion and the shaped portion isdistal to the proximal portion, and wherein the shaped portion includesa first length that deviates from a longitudinal axis of the proximalportion by a first angle and a second length that deviates from thelongitudinal axis of the proximal portion by a second angle differentfrom the first angle.
 12. The intravenous catheter device of claim 1,wherein the probe is one of a wire or a tube.
 13. The intravenouscatheter device of claim 1, wherein the probe assembly includes a probehousing within which the probe is housed and a probe actuator positionedat least partially outside of the probe housing, the probe actuatorinterfacing with the probe to cause the probe to be selectively advancedout from the probe housing and into the catheter.
 14. The intravenouscatheter device of claim 13, wherein the probe actuator also interfaceswith the probe to cause the probe to rotate within the catheter.
 15. Aprobe assembly for use with a catheter of an intravenous catheterdevice, the probe comprising: a probe housing; a probe actuator coupledto the probe housing; and a probe that is housed within the probehousing, the probe actuator being configured to selectively advance theprobe from the probe housing and into the catheter of the intravenouscatheter device, wherein the probe comprises: a proximal portion; adistal end; and a shaped portion positioned between the proximal portionand the distal end, the shaped portion being configured to reposition adistal end of the catheter as the probe is selectively advanced withinthe catheter.
 16. The probe assembly of claim 15, wherein the shapedportion includes a first length that deviates from a longitudinal axisof the proximal portion by a first angle and a second length thatdeviates from the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion by a secondangle different from the first angle.
 17. The probe assembly of claim15, wherein the probe actuator is configured to selectively rotate theprobe within the catheter.
 18. The probe assembly of claim 15, whereinthe shaped portion of the probe encompasses the distal end of the probe.19. A method of repositioning a distal end of a catheter within apatient's vasculature, the method comprising: providing an intravenouscatheter device having a catheter adapter, a catheter that extendsdistally from the catheter adapter and a probe assembly that couples tothe catheter adapter, the probe assembly including a probe thatselectively extends into the catheter, the probe having a shapedportion. inserting the catheter into a patient's vasculature; and whilethe catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature, advancing theprobe within the catheter to cause the shaped portion of the probe to bepositioned proximate to a distal end of the catheter, the shaped portioncausing the distal end of the catheter to be repositioned.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: advancing the probe to cause adistal end of the probe to extend distally beyond the distal end of thecatheter, the distal end of the probe being configured to cause anocclusion or obstruction to be removed from the distal end of thecatheter.